The New York Knicks will have money to burn in free agency, but that does not mean they will be able to get everyone on the wishlist. The Knicks will be forced to prioritize who they chase first and who is their plan B options. The issue is that teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers also have money to burn and like the same players as the Knicks. So who can New York win over in the offseason?
While it is highly assumed that players like Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo will be at the top of the priority list for team president Phil Jackson, could Greg Monroe begetting a serious look? According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Jackson and his close friends believe Monroe could be the perfect fit for New York. Berman writes that Karl-Anthony Towns is gaining steam as the No. 1 overall draft pick, but Jackson also likes what he sees in Monroe and could opt to pick up the Detroit Pistons star instead.
The Knicks have been linked to Monroe for almost a year now. According to ESPNNewYork.com, the Knicks attempted to acquire Monroe when he was a restricted free agent last season, but the Pistons were determined to keep him around. Now that Monroe will be an unrestricted free agent, the team will be free to pursue. He would work in the triangle offense while creating opportunities for Carmelo Anthony.
Jackson told season ticket holders in a press event that the he is looking for a defender. The team president wants someone to fill the shoes that Tyson Chandler left before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Monroe would certainly make a lot of sense and certainly be cheaper than other free agents. However, while New York looks at outside help for defenders, are there players on the roster ready to help now?
The biggest question for the Knicks heading into the offseason is what to do with Andrea Bargnani. The forward was considered good as gone at the beginning of the year and at the mid-season deadline when the Knicks tried to shop him around, but Bargnani remained. Now healthy, he is excelling in an audition situation.
According to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, Barnani is gaining the favor of Jackson and could be re-signed in the offseason to a cheaper contract. That would give the Knicks depth on the bench. Head coach Derek Fisher certainly likes what he sees out of the forward.
"He's an extremely talented player. The injuries have really limited his ability to reach his ceiling or get closer to it. So whatever the future holds in that regard, I think the way he's finishing this season is not only showing us, but also showing other teams as well, that he's a very capable player still at this point in his career," Fisher said, via ESPN.com. "I think he's trying to prove that to everyone, including us."